Who should post the West Virginia Fair Housing Poster?
Any person engaged in the sale or rental of housing, or any person or other entity whose business includes engaging in residential real estate-related transactions or proffering of brokerage services, is encouraged to post in a conspicuous place or places on the business’s premises the West Virginia Fair Housing Poster, which sets forth excerpts of the Fair Housing Act and such other relevant information which the Human Rights Commission deems necessary. (West Virginia Code §5-11A-5, §5-11A-6, §5-11A-7). Covered individuals and entities include:
- property owners
- landlords
- real estate brokers
- agents
- salesmen
- appraisers
- lenders financing purchase, construction, improvement, repair or maintenance a dwelling or transactions secured by residential real estate
What does the Fair Housing Poster cover?
The Fair Housing Poster highlights provisions of the Fair Housing Act. The Fair Housing Act provides that it is unlawful for an owner, landlord, real estate broker, agent, or other covered entity:
- To refuse to sell or rent , or to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, familial status, blindness, disability or national origin.
- To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because of race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, familial status, blindness, disability or national origin.
- To refuse to permit, at the expense of a disabled person, reasonable modifications of existing premises necessary to afford the person full enjoyment of the premises, subject to the renter agreeing to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before the modification.
- To refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services when the accommodations may be necessary to afford the person equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.
Individuals who believe their rights have been violated can contact the West Virginia Human Rights Commission using the contact information provided on the poster. Complaints must be filed within one year after an alleged discriminatory housing practice has occurred.